Methods and apparatus for processing web-like materials



July 14, 1970 J J, LEVlN ET AL 3,520,260

METEODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING WEB-LIKE MATERIALS K.Eiled. March6, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JORDAN J. LEVIN MARTIN ZINAMON BYEDWARD F. SEMLITZ ATTORNEYS July 4, 7 v J. J- LEVIN ETA!- 3,520,260METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING WEB-LIKE MATERIALS filed March 6,1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JORDAN J. LEVIN MARTIN ZINAMON BY EDWARDr. SEMLITZ United States Patent 3,520,260 METHODS AND APPARATUS FORPROCESSING WEB-LIKE MATERIALS Jordan J. Levin, Woodmere, Edward F.Semlitz, Westbury, and Martin Zinamon, Bellmore, N.Y., assignors toStandwear Pleating Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 6,1968, Ser. No. 711,131 Int. Cl. D05c 7/08 US. Cl. 112-102 25 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Changing the relative angle during feeding ofa weblike material to a processing location to enable processing thereofalong a generally wave-form like pattern.

This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for processingweb-like materials and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus forprocessing web-like materials at a material processing location along agenerally wave-form like pattern.

This invention is especially useful for the production of decorativepatterns on textile or other sheet or web-like material utilizing threadas decorative embroidery either wholly on the material or as adecorative edge. However, the present invention is not limited to suchuse, and may be utilized for the production of decorative or wave-formlike patterns which are not formed by using thread or which are formedby processing of substantially any web or sheet-like material.

The present invention may produce scalloped or decorati-ve embroidery orapplique formed of stitching along a wave-form like path wholly on a webor sheet-like material, at or adjacent an edge thereof or simultaneouslywith a cutting operation to define a scalloped or waveform like edgedecorated with applique or embroidery stitching. The present inventionmay further continuously produce such decorative scalloped embroidery orapplique on elongated, relatively narrow webs of material for subsequentutilization in various and diverse fabrication operations.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providemethods and apparatus of the class described which are simple,economical, reliable and capable of high speed operation.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to theforegoing object, is to provide such methods and apparatus wherein a webof material is moved in an arcuate path during delivery to a processinglocation to provide a varying angle of attack therewith.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to eachof the foregoing objects, is to provide such methods and apparatuswherein guide means for a web or sheet-like material is moved in anarcuate path about a processing location to provide a varying angle ofattack of the web or sheet-like material therewith.

A further primary object of the present invention in addition to each ofthe foregoing objects, is to provide such methods and apparatus forenabling the formation of a scalloped embroidered wave-form like edge ofexceptional uniformity and at a high rate.

A still further primary object of the present invention, in addition toeach of the foregoing objects of the present invention, is to providesuch methods and apparatus wherein the amplitude, frequency, period andconfiguration of waveform like decorative patterns, such as scallopedembroidery may be readily and easily varied.

A yet still further primary object of the present invention, in additionto each of the foregoing objects, is to ice provide methods andapparatus of the class described capable of producing substantially anycyclic or repetitive wave-form like pattern.

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention,in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such methodsand apparatus wherein the web or sheet-like material may be fed to theprocessing location without snagging, bunching, slipping, or the like.

Yet further, it is still another primary object of the presentinvention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to providemethods and apparatus of the class described for forming zig-zag oroveredge stitching in a wave-form like pattern with each such stitchbeing generally perpendicular to the path of the pattern.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement anddisposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated inimproved apparatus for providing relative feeding movement between a webor sheet-like material and a work processing location and in the methodsinvolved therein. The present invention will be better understood andobjects and important features other than those specifically enumeratedabove will become apparent when consideration is given to the followingdetails and description, which when taken in conjunction with theannexed drawing describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferredembodiment or modification of the present invention and what ispresently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing theprinciples thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggestedto those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such otherembodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially asthey fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of apparatus constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustratedapparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention and designated generally by the reference character 10.

At the outset, it is to be expressly understood that While the presentinvention is herein shown and illustrated as applied to apparatus forcutting and over-edge stitching of an elongated web of textile materialin a generally sinusoidal wave-like pattern, the present invention isalso utilizable for the production of substantially any desired wavelikepattern, either continuous or discontinuous. For example, and withoutlimitation, the present invention may produce a generally sinusoidalscalloping, saw-tooth scalloping, zig-zag scalloping, convex or concavecurvilinear scalloping or substantially any combination thereof.

Further, the present invention is utilizable for the formation ofelongated webs of material, as shown, either as an end product, as anintermediate product for sale or utilization in additional fabrication,for securement with a backing panel of material simultaneously with theformation thereof, or for direct application to panels, webs 01' sheetsof material. Again, the foregoing is by way of example only, and withoutlimitation. Yet further, the present invention is susceptible to usewith stitch-forming equipment, as shown, or with substantially any otherprocessing or fabrication equipment, such as, by way of example andwithout limitation, printing wheels, adhesive apparatus, cuttingequipment, perforating equipment, forming equipment, or the like.

The apparatus 10 shown and illustrated comprises a 3 sewing head 12 andapparatus 14 positioned relative thereto, as by being structurallyassociated with support structure 16 which is structurally associatedwith the sewing head 12.

The sewing head 12 may be of substantially any desired construction anddesign such as is Well known in the sewing machine art, and furtherdescription thereof is not deemed necessary, other than that the sewinghead 12 may be driven, generally at a constant speed, although the speedthereof may be varied independently or in synchronization to theapparatus 14, by means of a drive belt 18. The sewing head 12 maycomprise a needle 20 driven from the drive belt 18 in a well knownstitch forming manner to produce, for example, a zig-zag or overedgelock stitch, as indicated at 22 in FIG. 2. The sewing head 12 mayfurther be provided with feed dogs 24 for feeding a web of fabricmaterial 26 relative to the needle 20 and with cutting means, such as aknife edge 28 adjacent the needle 20 for severing the web of fabric 26as it is moved therepast by the feed dogs 24. There may also be provideda presser foot 30 which acts upon the material 26 to hold the materialagainst the bed 32 of the sewing head 12. The web of material 26 may,for example, be moved past the needle 20 in the direction of the arrow34. The amount of the movement of the fabric 26 in the direction of thearrow 34 may be adjusted in a Well known manner to have a predeterminedcorrelation to the movement of the needle 20. Normally this adjustmentis made for the purpose of setting desired spacing between the stitches22. If desired, the correlation may be further automatically adjusted ormodified with reference to the apparatus 14.

The apparatus 14 may comprise a stand member 36 structurally associatedwith the support structure 16. The stand member 36 may be structurallyassociated with a generally vertically extending shaft 38 which may bedisposed generally vertically above the needle 20 of the sewing head 12.The shaft 38 may rotatably carry elongate bearing means, such as anupper bearing 40 and a lower bearing 42 which may be disposed forrotation above the shaft 38 while being secured thereon against verticalmovement relative thereto. Material guiding means 44 which may furtherprovide tensioning of the material 26 may be structurally associatedwith the bearing means, as by an upper support rod 46 structurallyassociated with the upper and lower bearing 40 and 42 and a lowersupport rod 48 structurally associated with the upper support rod 46 andwith the guiding means 44. The upper and lower support rods 46 and 48may be adjustably interconnected, as by means of a clamp block device 50to enable adjustment of the positioning of the guiding means 44-relative to the sewing head 12.

The guiding means 44 ma be of any desired construction, depending uponthe configuration and characteristics of the material 26 and, for anelongated generally narrow web of textile material or fabric the guidingmeans 44 may comprise a plurality of tensioning bars 52 about which theweb of fabric material 26 may be passed in a serpentine manner. Thetensioning bars 52 may be fabricated of either a resilient or anon-resilient material, and may be provided with a smooth or a highfriction surface, depending upon the characteristics and requirements ofthe web of fabric or material 26.

The web of fabric or material 26 may be provided in the form of a roll54. Accordingly, the apparatus 14 may further comprise a spindle rod 56structurally associated with the support rods 46 and 48, as by means ofthe clamp block device 50 for rotatably supporting the roll 54. Thespindle rod 56 may be provided with means for retaining the roll 54thereon, and for tensioning the roll 54 against rotation. Such retainingand tensioning means board end thereof to engage the nut 64.Accordingly, the roll 54 and the guiding means 44 may simultaneouslyoscillate or move in a generally arcuate path about the shaft 38. Ashereinbefore pointed out, the shaft 38 may be generally verticallydisposed above the needle 20 and hence, the roll 54 and the guidingmeans 44 may therefore oscillate or move in a generally arcuate pathabout the needle 20 to thereby vary the relative angle therebetween, orthe angle of attack of the material 26 to the needle 20 which, it willbe understood, defines the processing location.

Drive means, such as a variable speed motor 68, reduction gear means 70and oscillatory drive means 71 may be structurally associated with thestand member 36. The oscillatory drive means 71 may be constructed andarranged to provide either uniformly or non-uniformly, continuously ordiscontinuously oscillatory movement for the guiding means 44. Forexample, and without limitation, the oscillatory drive means 71 maycomprise eccentric drive means, comprising, for example a driving link72, a drive pin 74 and a driven link 76 operatively associated with theoutput shaft 78 of the reduction gear means 70 and the bearing means 40and 42, respectively, to provide for oscillatory, rotary drive of thebearing means 40 and 42 about the shaft 38 and, in turn, oscillatorycircular movement of the guiding means 44 in an arcuate path about theshaft 38 and processing location as defined by the needle 20.

The driving link 72, which may be of generally elongate config-uration,may be structurally associated, at one end portion thereof to the outputshaft 78. The drive pin 74 may, as hereinafter described, be adjustablyassociated with the driving link 72 in spaced apart relationship to theoutput shaft 78. The driven link 76 may likewise be of generallyelongated configuration, with one end portion thereof being structurallyassociated with the bearing means, as by being structurally associatedwith the upper bearing 40. The driven link 76 may be provided with anelongated generally longitudinally extending slot 80 adapted to beengaged by the drive pin 74. Accordingly, upon rotation of the drivinglink 72, the drive pin 74 will be reciprocated within the slot 80' ofthe driven link 76 to oscillate the driven link 72, the bearings 40 and42, the guiding means 44 and the web of material 26 about the shaft 38and, accordingly, about the axis of the processing location defined bythe needle 20 to change the angle of attack of the material 26 as itapproaches the needle 20.

The drive pin 74 may be either fixed to the driving link 72, orrotatably mounted thereon. As hereinbefore mentioned, the drive pin 74may be adjustably associated with the driving link 72, as by engagementthrough an elongated slot 82 provided in the driving link 72 and beingcapable of securement at any desired location relative to the slot 82 asby means of a nut 84, or the like. Accordingly, the amplitude of theoscillation of the bearings 40 and 42 and, accordingly, the roll 54 andguiding means 44 about the shaft 38 may be readily varied by varying thedistance of the drive pin 74 from the output shaft 78 of the reductiongear means 70.

It is believed readily obvious that the oscillatory drive means 71hereinabove described in detail will produce a generally sinusoidalarcuate oscillation of the material 26 about the processing location asdefined by the shaft 38 and needle 20. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the present invention may provide oscillatory movementswhich are not sinusoidal and, in fact, may comprise substantially anydesired wave-form, both continuous and discontinuous by appropriatemodification of the driving link 72, drive pin 74 and driven link 76. Itis believed obvious that the driving link 72, drive pin 74 and drivenlink 76 in actuality define a fixed radius cam and follower arangementand, further, that substitution of a cam follower arrangement of otherthan a fixed radius configuration will result in the production of awave-form like pattern which is not sinusoidal and, in fact, may be ofsubstantially any desired configuration.

The drive means for the output shaft 78, as hereinbefore pointed out,may be of the variable speed variety comprising mechanical variable orchange speed gearing or drive means between the motor 68 and the outputshaft 78, as by being incorporated within the reduction gearing 70 orthe drive motor 68 may be of of the variable speed variety, the speed ofwhich may be controlled by a speed control 86 of any desired typeconnected with the motor 68 and with the source of electric power as bymeans of electric cables or wires 88 and 90, respectively. For example,the speed control 86 may comprise an electronic speed control of eitherthe open end or feedback variety. It is believed readily obvious thatvariations of the speed of the motor 68 will produce variations in theperiod of the wave-like form pattern produced on the material 26 andthat variations in the amplitude of the oscillations will producevariations in the amplitude or depth of the wave-form like pattern.Moreover, the speed control 86 may be automatically controlled or variedto produce yet further modifications to the wave-form like pattern. Yetstill further, the processing apparatus or sewing head 12 may similarlybe of a variable stitch variety and automatically controlled in relationto the apparatus 14 to provide yet further modifications, variations andvariety to the waveform like pattern produced.

The apparatus shown and illustrated may be operated, accordingly, asfollows: the sewing head 12 may be operated at the maximum sewing speedthereof and the motor 68 energized. As the sewing head 12 operates, thefeed dogs 24 thereof would be etfecive to pull the web of material 26from the roll 54 past the knife edge 28 and the needle 20. As the outputshaft 78 rotates, the bearings 40 and 42, the roll 54 and guiding means44 will be oscillated about the axis of the shaft 38 and, accordingly,about the axis of the processing location or needle 20, constantlychanging the angle of attack of the web of material 26 relative to thesewing head 12 so that the needle 20 and the knife edge 24 will severand decoratively embroider the severed edge of the web of material 26 todefine an embroidered, scalloped, generally sinusoidal edge as thematerial passes through the sewing head 12. Since the angle of attack isconstantly changing, the web of material will always be moving directlyinto the feed dogs 24 without any lateral movement therebetween beingnecessary. Moreover, the stitchs formed by the sewing head 12 willalways be generally perpendicular to the edge cut by the knife edge 28.Hence, the apparatus 10 may be operated at a maximum speed, without thefeed dogs 24 snagging, bunching, or otherwise interfering with thetransfer of the Web of material through the sewing head 12 and thestitches 52 will be of maximum uniformity and aesthetic appeal.

It is to be understood that terminology such as upper and lower, as usedin the preceding description and in the subjoined claims, along withother similar directional terminology, is to be construed andinterpreted in its normal and accepted sense. However, such terminologyis not to be construed or interpreted in a limiting sense either in thepreceding description or the subjoined claims, since the same is usedmerely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth andparticularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin terms of embodiments or modifications which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed,illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may besuggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein beingintended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope andspirit of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for continuously processing an elongated web of materialcomprising, in combination: means for processing the material at aspecific location, means adjacent said processing location for feedingsuch web therepast, means for guiding the material relative to saidprocessing location and means for moving said guiding means along agenerally arcuate path having its center substantially aligned with saidlocation for automatically varying the angle of attack of such materialas it approaches said location so that such processing will be performedalong a varied path extending generally longitudinally of the web.

2. Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said processing means comprisesa sewing machine having a reciprocating needle mounted for cyclicpassage through said processing location and said feeding meanscomprises rectilinear feeding means for moving the web of materialacross the needle travel path.

3. Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprisessupporting means for the web of material.

4. Apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said moving means comprisesoscillatory drive means for said guiding means.

5. Apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said oscillatory drive meanscomprises offset crank means constructed and arranged to providevariable amplitude oscillation.

6. Apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising variable speed drivemeans for said oscillating drive means.

7. Apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said oscillatory drive meanscomprises adjustable crank means constructed and arranged to providevariable amplitude oscillation.

8. Apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said arcuate path is disposed ina plane generally parallel the plane of movement of the web past saidprocessing location.

9. In combination with a stitch forming machine, guiding apparatuscomprising guiding means mounted for movement along an arcuate pathhaving a center substantially aligned with the stitch forming locationfor varying the angle of attack of a web of sheet-like material as itapproaches the stitch forming location.

10. Method of processing web or sheet-like material comprising, at leastthe steps of, feeding the material relative to a processing location,supporting the web at a location spaced apart from the processinglocation and moving the support along a generally arcuate path having acenter in general alignment with the processing location to vary theangle of attack of said material as it approaches such processinglocation.

11. Method defined in claim 10 wherein said step of moving comprises, atleast the step of, oscillating the support cyclically along thegenerally arcuate path.

12. Method defined in claim 11 further comprising, at least theadditional step of, varying the rate of oscillation of the support toprovide a variable period of oscillation.

13. Method defined in claim 10 further comprising forming stitches atsaid material processing location.

14. Method defined in claim 13 further comprising severing said materialat said processing location.

15. Embroidery apparatus comprising, in combination: a sewing machinehaving a needle and rectilinear feeding means and tape supply meanscomprising, in turn, a shaft generally axially aligned with the needlemovement, bearing means carried by said shaft for rotational movementthereabout, frame support means mounted with said bearing means forrotation therewith about said shaft, roll material support and guidingmeans mounted on said frame means, and means to oscillate the frame andguide means across the machine line of feed.

16. Apparatus for continuously processing an elongated vveb of materialcomprising, in combination: means for processing the material at aspecific location, means adjacent said processing location for feedingsuch web therepast, means for guiding the material relative to saidprocessing location comprising, in turn, supporting means for the web ofmaterial and oscillatory drive means for moving said supporting meansalong a generally arcuate path about said processing location to varythe angle of attack of such material as it approaches said location sothat processing will be performed along a varied path extendinggenerally longitudinally of the web.

-17. Apparatus defined in claim 16 further comprising roll materialsupport means structurally associated with said bearing means.

18. Apparatus defined in claim 17 further comprising frame means mountedon and carried by said bearing means wherein said material support meansand said roll support means are mounted on and carried by said hearingmeans for rotation therewith.

19. Apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said shaft extends generallyperpendicular the plane of movement of the web past said processinglocation.

20. In combination with a stitch forming machine,

guiding apparatus comprising guiding means mounted for oscillation alongan arcuate path about the stitching forming location, shaft meansdisposed in general alignment with said location and bearing meansrotatably carried by said shaft means, said guiding means being mountedwith said bearing means for rotation therewith about said shaft to varythe angle of attack of a web sheet-like material as it approaches thestitch forming location.

21. Combination defined in claim 20 further comprising oscillatory drivemeans for said bearing means.

22. Combination defined in claim 21 further comprising variable speeddrive means for said oscillatory drive means.

23. Combination defined in claim 21 wherein said oscillatory drive meanscomprises an adjustable crank and slider mechanism.

24. Combination defined in claim 20 wherein the stitch forming machinecomprises a needle mounted for periodic movement through the stitchforming location and means for feeding the web of material past saidlocation across the path of travel of said needle and wherein said shaftis disposed generally perpendicular the plane of movement of the webpast said location.

25. Combination defined in claim 24 further comprising roll materialsupport means mounted with said guiding means for oscillatory movementtherewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,060,631 11/1936 Myers 112-1522,259,502 10/ 1941 Topham et a1. 2,665,650 1/1954 Lepow 112102 2,683,4307/1954 Soldo 112-152 2,707,446 5/ 1955 McCutchen 112102 X 2,828,7034/1958 Sigoda 112-402 2.961,186 11/1960 Soyles 112-l52 X 7 9,745 4/ 1961Schaefer et al. 1255 ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner

